What? It's a bit of work to get to them, sure, but it's probably just the bulb. The simplest test is just to drop in a new bulb and see if it works. If they're stingy on bulbs, they can swap your right one to the left one and see if the problem travels with the bulb. If it really is the ballast, then that will get more expensive, but it's too early to go crazy with the diagnoses. You can also do the left-right swap yourself if you have a screwdriver. Just go somewhere else, they're making this too complicated.

P.S. here's the full Mazda test procedure if you're willing to do some of this work yourself: http://foxed.ca/rx7manual/2003mazdarx8/ go to Body & Accessories, then Lighting Systems, then Discharge Headlight System Inspection.

It's actually pretty easy to change the bulbs. The Owner's Manual makes it sound all mysterious and scary, but it's not a hard job at all. Just make sure you disconnect the battery and wear gloves, and you will be fine. I'd follow Loki's advice and see what happens.

IIRC you just need to remove the grey plastic cover by turning it, unplug the connector, undo the metal clip, and the bulb should come out. We use D2S bulbs, for reference.

HID bulbs do eventually "burn out." They don't have filaments to snap, but the voltage needed to activate them eventually get too high for the system to light them up.

Or you can get these XtremeVision ones(which are sold in other markets, just not in North America). I got a pair from XenonDepot and they seem to shine a bit further down the road. They are also a nice, crisp white without any yellow or blue tint to them.

I ask only cause i wanted to compare with their price at the dealership for the bulb.

I called them, explained I did some consulting and that I'd like them to do the process described above and nothing otherwise complicated. The sales rep was pretty indignant that I was accusing him of being dishonest. Which I wasn't but whatever. He said fine so we'll how that goes...

I ask only cause i wanted to compare with their price at the dealership for the bulb.

I called them, explained I did some consulting and that I'd like them to do the process described above and nothing otherwise complicated. The sales rep was pretty indignant that I was accusing him of being dishonest. Which I wasn't but whatever. He said fine so we'll how that goes...

Dealership bulbs tend to be the most basic ones, which, with HIDs, should be okay. I won't pay more than US$110 for a pair of OEM replacements. I would never buy any halogens from dealers because they tend to be the crappiest of the bunch in terms of brightness and have the dealer markup.

Like said, you can do it yourself, but if you want them to do it, that's also fine. Honestly, it's most likely the bulb, given the mileage you have.